The Alternative Break Service Learning trips give students the opportunity to embark off-campus with peers, engage in community service, and gain an understanding of pertinent social issues through experiential learning.
Alternative Break Trips are organized twice a year during winter and spring break for any student interested in community-based learning. Through these experiences, the COVE strives to train students as leaders and advocates for social change. Students are encouraged to take an active role in applying for and leading trips that challenge their perspective of the world.
Winter 2027 Alternative Break Opportunities
Building Affordable Homeownership with Habitat for Humanity
Taos, New Mexico (January 10 - 16, 2027)
Trip Fee: $400, financial aid available
Steadfastly adhering to a philosophy of a “hand-up, not a hand-out,” Habitat for Humanity of Taos is a powerful engine of collaboration and reciprocity whereby those who qualify–by having a history of steady income, verifiable need, and a willingness to work hard–soon become engineers of their own dreams of homeownership. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Participants will work alongside Habitat staff and volunteers in direct service on residential construction sites to help build affordable homes and complete critical home repairs. You may also assist at the Habitat ReStore, which saves reusable household items and construction materials from landfills. You will have the opportunity to reflect on the the interconnected factors that create housing insecurity and visit the Taos Pueblo, an Indigenous/Native American community with homes dating over one-thousand years.
Applications are due by midnight on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Fighting Food Insecurity with Colgate Hunger Outreach Program
Washington, D.C. (January 10 - 16, 2027)
Trip Fee: $400, financial aid available
Participants will spend the week exploring the history, causes and consequences of homelessness and food insecurity in the U.S. through dynamic service-learning opportunities at a variety of community and non-profit organizations including, The National Coalition for the Homeless, ONE DC, Martha's Table, and more. By engaging in direct service, dialogue with community members, and educational workshops, you will compare the strengths and limitations of emergency food and housing programs, federal food and nutrition assistance and community-based approaches to organizing for change. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore and make connections between food insecurity/lack of affordable housing and the history of racial injustice in the United States.
Applications are due by midnight on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Spring 2027 Alternative Break Opportunities
Leading with Empathy at Pathfinder Village
Edmeston, NY (March 15 - 19, 2027)
Trip Fee: $0
Pathfinder Village is a caring community that offers independence to people living with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Volunteers will take part in a five-day inclusive team-building program designed to build shared learning, mentoring, and coaching relationships between Pathfinder Village Otsego Academy students and college-age peers. Student volunteers will work with residents on a variety of activities and live on-site at the Pathfinder Inn. These may include a ropes course, photography projects, cooking, and planning fun events for other residents. The goals of this trip are to build relationships with Pathfinder staff and residents while providing the organization with valuable services that will impact participants' lives for years to come.
Environmental Conservation with Kiptopeke State Park
Cape Charles, Virginia (March 14 - 20, 2027)
Trip Fee: $250, financial aid available
Participants will spend the week exploring the natural landscape of one of Virginia's coastal state parks and working alongside seasoned park staff to preserve access to its four beach boardwalks and coastline. Kiptopeke State Park is 562 acres set on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia's Eastern Shore and includes over 3 miles of beachfront and 5 miles of trails. The park includes marine forests, is a popular birding destination, and receives thousands of visitors for the beach and fishing. Through hands-on service, you will learn about environmental stewardship practices and the requirements of maintaining equitable access to public lands. Possible service work may include removing decking and railings from the existing boardwalk structures, shoring up structural supports, and re-decking and rebuilding railings. No prior trail or construction experience is required.
Empowerment for Farm-Working Families with Rural & Migrant Ministry
Lyons, New York (March 15 - 19, 2027)
Trip Fee: $200, financial aid available
On this joint volunteer trip with Hobart & William Smith Colleges, students travel to Lyons, N.Y., and work with the Rural & Migrant Ministry to advocate for social change on the working conditions of migrant farm workers and explore the dynamics of our food system. Students get the chance to stand with workers from South and Central American countries (including Mexico, Jamaica, and Haiti), examine the various power and privilege dynamics between large agribusinesses and the rural workers, join programming with the Justice Organization of Youth, and speak to legislators about current social issues.